Stephen Morgan MP learned about the problems pavement parking and street clutter cause for people with sight loss when met the charity Guide Dogs.
Cars blocking pavements are one of the main barriers preventing people with sight loss from walking the streets safely, and in some cases can force people onto the road.
YouGov polling on behalf of the charity Guide Dogs found nearly three-quarters (72%) of people surveyed said pavement parking is common in their area.
Pavement parking has largely been prohibited on pavements in London since 1974, and the charity is calling for the Government to extend this law across rest of England. They say a clear law is needed where pavement parking is the exception, not the norm, to ensure that everyone can walk their streets safely.
The Portsmouth South MP has been championing the tackling this issue for some time as local people raise concerns over pavement parking on our city’s packed streets.
Commenting Portsmouth MP Stephen Morgan MP, said:
“Pavement parking affects everyone – including people with disabilities such as sight and hearing loss, wheel chair users, as well as parents with young children.
“81% of people with sight loss said that reducing obstacles on pavements and street clutter was important to improving their quality of life.
That’s why I back the Guide Dogs campaign offering a small change that will make life much better for those who need it in Portsmouth and across the rest of our country.”
Eleanor Briggs, Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at Guide Dogs said:
“The message from the public and local councillors is clear; our streets are not safe because of cars blocking pavements.
Parking on pavements is a nuisance for everyone, but potentially dangerous if you are a wheelchair user forced onto the road, pushing a child in a buggy or have sight loss and can’t see traffic coming towards you.”
This daily threat can mean people can’t safely get to work, education or to see friends. This is why we’re calling for a law that would empower local councils to tackle this problem.”
